Yeah, this was a major reroute. I've heard various tales as to why it was done. One had the reroute because of the lack of reliable water sources on the ridgeline of Iron Mountain. (And I think this is a fact.) The other was that the folk who maintain the trail wanted it to traverse the gorgeous high country between Mount Rogers and Whitetop, so the route was moved eastward and slightly south to achieve this goal.
At any rate, the old AT section is now a very popular trail in its own right with backpackers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Seems to be maintained every bit as well as the AT.
BobSmith - May 8, 2005 11:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
desainme - May 9, 2005 1:09 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood views of Mt. Rogers and the the view of the Iron Mtns past the split rail fence. Only about 50 miles east of High Knob up over Big Stone Gap.
BobSmith - May 9, 2005 6:57 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
mtwashingtonmonroe - May 9, 2005 8:52 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentAnother good one Bob!
-Britt
BobSmith - May 9, 2005 4:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
BobSmith - May 9, 2005 4:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
CharlesD - May 10, 2005 12:07 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice job, Bob. Interesting about the AT rerouting. It's always neat to find bits of Trail history like that.
BobSmith - May 10, 2005 5:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
Yeah, this was a major reroute. I've heard various tales as to why it was done. One had the reroute because of the lack of reliable water sources on the ridgeline of Iron Mountain. (And I think this is a fact.) The other was that the folk who maintain the trail wanted it to traverse the gorgeous high country between Mount Rogers and Whitetop, so the route was moved eastward and slightly south to achieve this goal.
At any rate, the old AT section is now a very popular trail in its own right with backpackers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Seems to be maintained every bit as well as the AT.
Jerry L - May 18, 2005 5:33 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI've never heard of the Iron Mountains. Nice page.
Jerry
BobSmith - May 22, 2005 9:22 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
"Iron Mountain" runs for many miles. One tremendous ridgeline broken by a few gaps and containing several peaks.
Dean - Jun 8, 2005 6:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood job on another area of Virginia.
BobSmith - Jun 9, 2005 7:36 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!